Official Fire update *****6/21/16 at 11:34 am******
The fire grew an additional 10,138 acres due to extremely hot weather and dry conditions and is now at 35.500 acres with 20% containment.
The current perimeter of the fire extends directly south and east of Highway 60 across the Gila County/Navajo County boundary. The eastern edge of the fire has crossed over the Cedar Creek drainage. The southern perimeter is still approximately 1 1⁄2 miles north of Hwy 73, and approximately 2 miles north of the Cedar Creek community, burning in sparse vegetation. Crews continue to work on the south end of the fire to prevent further growth.
The north sector remains fairly quiet. Burnout operations were conducted at strategic locations on the western side and along reservation road 33 in the Middle Cedar Creek drainage. The 2015 Playground Fire scar on the eastern side of the fire is being utilized as a fuel break.
Fire activity may lessen slightly today as the temperatures lower and humidity rises slightly. There is a 30% chance of thunderstorms, but temperatures in the area are still 3-5 degrees above average. Winds are predominately from the south.
While subtropical moisture from the south will have a cooling, moderating effect on fire behavior, there is a chance it could produce gusty, erratic winds of up to 15 mph in the afternoon. There are isolated islands of unburned vegetation within the fire perimeter that may become active today.
Last night, the Navopache Electric Co-Op de-energized the power lines to Cibecue, Cedar Creek, and Carrizo to protect firefighters as they conducted burnout operations around power lines. Power lines were re-energized at approximately 11:30 p.m.
The Community of Cedar Creek remains under pre-evacuation notice. There are no orders at this time. If an evacuation notice is given, Cedar Creek would be evacuated to Round Valley Middle school in Eagar via Highway 73. Community members that choose to leave the area now can go to either Holbrook High School at 455 N 8th Ave., Holbrook or to the Round Valley Middle School 126 W. 2nd ST., Eagar, with their small animals. Livestock may be taken to Round Valley Rodeo Grounds, the Holbrook Fairgrounds, and the Taylor Rodeo Complex.
The community is invited to hear directly from Incident Management leadership at a community meeting scheduled to take place today. The meeting will be at:
· 5:30pm, LDS Stake Center, 1401 W. Deuce of Clubs. Show Low, AZ
Citizens wishing to attend the meeting should check the Show Low city website at http://showlowaz.gov/ to verify the location of the meeting.
We remain under pre-evacuation orders at this time.
Excellent job of getting clear, accurate and timely information to the public. The cooperation shown in managing this fire is outstanding. jo
I just want to say Thank you to all involved with fighting the fire, giving us information, commanders, SLPD for texting me updates. God Bless you all! Prayers daily, nightly for all of you on all the sites………….. Thank you to all on the ground and in the air, your a God send to us here in the white mountains. Prayers to all families here and in other states for all here to do their jobs/service to keep us safe. I wish I could thank you person to person, and give you all hugs………Thank you over and over!
Can we get from Globe to Pinetop via Hwy 73 since Hwy 60 is closed to Show Low?
Yes you can. Highway 60 is closed just east of the Highway 73 junction.
Personally, I am amazed that they have been able to prevent the fire from advancing any closer than it has. It began in a very precarious and dangerous area. This is a testament to getting resources on the fire immediately. I appreciate the information you folks are distributing and the timely fashion in which you do it. Please folks, let the firefighters do their job and in the mean time…pray for an early start to the monsoon.